What to do if water gets under your flooring?

Author: Dr. Polly Heathcote  |  Last update: Friday, August 18, 2023

Here are five simple steps you can take to get rid of water under floorboards.
  1. Remove coverings and dispose of paper products. If you have rugs or mats covering the wet floor, you should immediately remove them. ...
  2. Begin drying the area. ...
  3. Clean and disinfect. ...
  4. Ventilate the room. ...
  5. Call ServiceMaster of Lake Shore.

What to do if water goes under laminate flooring?

Once the source of the leak has been dealt with, proceed to remove wet parts of your laminate floor. Give it time to dry out. To speed up the drying process, use a wet-vacuum or mop to absorb the water. The method you use may depend on the volume of water spilled and whatever tool is available to you.

Is water under floor a problem?

Yes, very much so. A slab leak can cause potentially catastrophic damage to your home. In mild cases, a slab leak can leave a pesky wet spot in your home, but even this is bad news. The constant moisture and organic matter in your flooring can cause mold colonies to take root and spread quickly.

How do you dry water under a floating floor?

The best solution is to use purpose-built dehumidifiers. They will assist in removing any moisture from the air and will also assist in removing any water from underneath your laminate flooring.

Will water under vinyl dry out?

However, in the event of flooding or a bad sewage leak, standing water beneath vinyl plank flooring won't dry out on its own due to too much condensation that has collected between the vinyl planks and substrate or underlayment.

HOW TO: Fix Water Leak Under VINYL PLANK FLOORING !

Will mold grow under vinyl flooring?

Yes, mold can grow under vinyl flooring if moisture becomes trapped underneath the flooring material. Vinyl flooring is not a breathable material, which means that moisture cannot escape through the flooring.

Will water evaporate under vinyl flooring?

Water and moisture that is trapped under the floor will not evaporate on its own so you'll need to determine if the subfloor is affected and if removal of all or part of the floor is necessary to prevent subfloor damage and any mildewing.

How long does it take for mold to grow under laminate flooring?

How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow Under Wet Laminate? It only takes as little as 24 hours for mold to start growing under wet laminate flooring, if the water is dirty, it has come from a dishwasher, outside groundwater, a toilet or dirty carpet it can start growing bacteria even quicker, in as little as 12 hours.

How long does it take for water to dry under floor?

Your wood floors and the area beneath them may take weeks or even months to fully dry. However, it's worth the wait, as some floors will return to their original shape once they're dried. They may need a surface sanding and re-nailing, but that's much less trouble than replacing your floor.

Will mold grow under laminate flooring?

Improper installation: If the laminate flooring is not installed correctly, it can create gaps or spaces that allow moisture to seep in and promote mold growth. High humidity: High humidity levels can promote mold growth, particularly in areas where ventilation is poor.

How can I dry my subfloor faster?

Place the fans at the highest settings possible. If there is a level below the flooring that can be accessed, place fans on the lower level and aim the air up toward the ceiling to dry the subfloor and flooring from underneath.

Will water under floor dry?

Water always travels to the lowest spot it can. This means, even if you have removed excess or standing water from the top of your flooring, there may still be water that has seeped underneath your floorboards into your subfloor. Water underneath your flooring does not dry out as quickly compared to surface moisture.

How do I know if I have water damage under my floor?

Your Subfloor and Floor Are Severely Damaged. Subflooring is the wooden or concrete support system beneath your flooring. If you have water-damaged subfloors, you'll likely notice your floors are swollen or lifted. They may also feel soft or squishy when stepped on.

How do you know if you have mold under laminate flooring?

What Are the Signs that Mold is Growing Under Your Home's Floor?
  • A musty odor. This odor can suggest that mold is growing in your home. ...
  • Visible water stains. Water stains can be an indicator of the presence of mold, as mold growth is often a result of water damage.

Can you fix swollen laminate flooring?

But if your floor is submerged or stays in contact with water long enough, it can swell and break down. Water damaged boards can't be fixed, but they can be replaced. If you have leftover laminate flooring boards from your original installation, use those. If not, match the damaged boards with new ones.

How long does it take subfloor to dry?

If you have a plywood substrate, you may experience swelling and distorting when exposed to moisture. Once plywood has become wet, it's important to remove the moisture as soon as possible with the combination of a dehumidifier and a drying fan which usually takes a minimum of three full days.

How fast does mold grow from a wet floor?

mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem. Use the diagram on the facing page to assess the extent of mold in your home.

Does wet subfloor need to be replaced?

Water damage that is quickly remediated will not always require subfloor replacement. Remediation techniques, like rapid structural drying, may be employed in certain scenarios to mitigate the damage and save all or a portion of your subfloors.

How long does water have to be on floor to cause damage?

How long does it take for water to damage wood floors? According to the EPA, mold is capable of growing on most materials (including wood) within 48 to 72 hours. Other damage, such as staining or buckling, can show up in as little as two to seven days.

What kills mold under flooring?

Treat exposed molded subflooring with a mixture of 1 cup of borax and 1 gallon of water or an EPA-registered mold removal product. Spray the solution on the moldy plywood. You can also soak affected subflooring with a brush broom. Wait 10 minutes, scrub the area, and repeat the process two more times.

How do I know if I have mold under my floor?

Some warning signs to look out for, especially if you recently experienced a water leak or flooding, include:
  1. Musty odors.
  2. Creaky floorboards.
  3. Buckling or warping.
  4. Discoloration.
  5. Water stains.
  6. Water damage.
  7. Health symptoms associated with mold exposure.

What happens if water gets into laminate flooring?

Water damages laminate planks by soaking into the layers. Once inside the boards, it causes them to swell and warp. It also weakens the glue that holds them together and they can eventually fall apart.

What happens if water gets under luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Understand that while the water will not cause permanent damage to the LVT flooring, the subflooring, walls and baseboards do require drying, and if left unaddressed, will eventually damage the LVT. At Water Mold Fire Restoration we have the specialized equipment on hand to handle water damage to LVT flooring.

Can vinyl plank flooring survive flooding?

Is vinyl flooring waterproof? Yes, and for this reason, vinyl flooring is incredibly popular! Vinyl plank flooring is the perfect flooring solution for busy households, basements, bathrooms and even kitchens. But just because vinyl flooring is waterproof, doesn't mean it will survive flooding.

Can vinyl floor be saved after flood?

Vinyl: If there are water pockets below the flooring, you can typically remove and replace the flooring once the subfloor is completely dry. With any flooring, the key is cleaning the area from top to bottom after water damage has occurred. Mold growth is not something to be messed with.

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